Strangers should always be considered a possible threat. But what about the people you voluntarily let into your home?
Here are five steps to take to minimize burglary and theft from unexpected people: the dog walker, nanny, house cleaner and handyman.
1. Know names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Seem obvious? These questions are often overlooked. You might meet the person or chat on the phone, but did you get their full contact information? Did you verify the info?
2. Don't let just anyone in your house for tasks.
One great example is a temporary house cleaner. Even if you get a recommendation from your neighbor, do some checking. Look at Facebook page. Are they planning to move? Are they in financial distress? Look at the county court cases. There are searchable dockets for every county.
3. Don't advertise for crime.
Every Facebook or social media post in which you enthuse about your next vacation is an advertisement for a burglar. That is true even if your Facebook or Instagram account is private with only close friends. Don't post pictures from the locale while you are there.
4. Install indoor cameras.
So many choices these days at many price points. You can get into a starter camera for less than $100. Even a visible camera can be a deterrent.
5. Secure your valuables.
Even if you trust your house cleaner or dog walker, make sure your valuables are not easily accessible. A bedroom drawer is the worst place to store them, according to the FBI. A safe won't help you if a criminal can merely carry it out of the house, taking away all valuables in one step. It must be well hidden, secured and too heavy to carry.
You might think you don't have much to steal, but that gold chain from the 1970s was worth about $1,900 an ounce in August of 2020. Such a thing is easy to put in a pocket, difficult to trace and its theft might be impossible to prove.
